Donald Lee ‘Don’ Craig, 79, passed away Aug. 31, 2026, at Ascension Via Christi – St. Francis, Wichita, Kan. He was born on Dec. 27, 1946, during a blizzard in Garden City, Kan., to Johnnie Albert and Hazel Pearl (Brown) Craig. On Aug. 17, 1974, after two years together, he married Nancy Bolmer in Dodge City, Kan.

A longtime resident of Great Bend, having grown up in Bazine, Don was the public works director for the City of Great Bend for 40 years prior to his retirement. Before his career, he proudly served his county in the United States Army, where he was the top communications sergeant stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War. Don was a member of Prince of Peace Parish where he attended services at St. Patrick Catholic Church. He enjoyed deer hunting with his best bud, Johnnie, fishing, and attending football and basketball games, supporting teams at all levels in Great Bend as well as at Fort Hays State University and K-State. Don was always a social person, and his love of people shown through those he worked with, friends, but especially to his beloved family.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years; three daughters, Kimberly Craig and significant other Scott McKenna of Overland Park, Trisha Wilson and husband Ryan of Wichita, and Julie Luna and husband Luis of Great Bend; five grandchildren, Damien Wilson, Khya Wilson, Brenden Luna, Alaynah Luna, and Maverick Luna; brother, Johnnie Craig and wife MaryAnn of Hays; sister, Geneva ‘Ginny’ Coone of Arizona; and four grand dogs, Gizmo, Kona, Daisy, and Bella. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Anita Sue ‘Susie’ Craig; and grand dog, Jax.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with Father Prakash Kola presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery, with military honors presented by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Visitation will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, with family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to the City of Great Bend, for maintaining the Vietnam War Memorial at Veteran’s Memorial Park and the B-29 Memorial Plaza at the Great Bend Municipal Airport, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 3, 2026